Incident Publication

Fire Information: (626) 662-0120

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Email: 2024.Bridge@firenet.gov 

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Sheep Mountain Wilderness, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Start Date: September 8, 2024, at 2:12 p.m. 

Fire Size: 54,878 acres

Percent Contained: 81 % 

Personnel: 994

Injuries: 8

Structures Damaged: 17

Structures Destroyed: 81

CURRENT SITUATION: Mop-up efforts will continue today across the fire as crews work to strengthen both primary and secondary containment lines. The removal of hazardous trees continues in and around Wrightwood, Grassy Hollow, and Big Pines Highway. This week will see more hot and dry weather across the southland. The public may see smoke from within the fire’s perimeter as pockets of unburned fuel burns off. Firefighters will investigate any reports of smoke and extinguish any isolated heat sources. Tomorrow at 6 p.m., California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 will transfer command of the fire back to the Angeles National Forest.

A Forest Order closed portions of the Angeles National Forest on Sept. 21, 2024. Some recreation areas are closed to public use. The Bridge Fire area closure order is available Angeles National Forest offices and online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles.

Damage inspection teams completed their inspections. Residents affected by the Bridge Fire can find information on the following websites:
For San Bernardino County: prepare.sbcounty.gov/bridge-fire/ 
For Los Angeles County: recovery.lacounty.gov/bridgefire/

For interactive maps on evacuation zones and status, visit the following websites:  

• Los Angeles County: Genasys Protect website or download the app. https://protect.genasys.com  
• San Bernardino:  https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com             

For emergency alerts, please register here:  

• Los Angeles County: https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications/  
• San Bernardino County: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/    

ANIMALS:

Some animals displaced during the fire have not been picked up from the Devore shelter. Please contact the Devore shelter, to arrange pick up. Note: Devore is no longer able to take in new animals. 

• Devore Animal Shelter: 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA. (909) 386-9820. After hours: (800) 472-5609
• Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 
• Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA

ROAD CLOSURES: 

• Eastbound Big Pines Highway at Largo Vista Road (residents only)
• Big Rock Creek Road at Forest Service Rd. 4N55
• Mescal Creek Road at Mescal Canyon Road
• SR-39 at the base of San Gabriel Canyon (residents only)
• Glendora Mountain Road north of Big Dalton Canyon Road
• Glendora Ridge Road from Mt. Baldy to Glendora Mountain Road
• SR-2 at SR-39 
• SR-2 at Flume Canyon Road westbound         

Additional closures may still be in place on roads managed and maintained by other agencies inside the forest. Most major roads in the Angeles National Forest are not managed or maintained by the Forest Service. We recommend also checking Caltrans (https://roads.dot.ca.gov/), the Los Angeles County Road Closures list (https://dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/) and the San Bernardino County Road Conditions (https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/road-closures/) list for updates.

WEATHER:
High pressure is building across Southern California through the end of the week, driving a warming and drying trend, dropping relative humidities, and contributing to elevated fire danger. Daily high temperatures are likely to be 7 to 10 degrees above normal. The warmer, drier weather will likely last through the month's end.

A Community Meeting will be held in Indian Valley today, Tuesday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Indian Valley Community Hall, 803 Indian Valley Road, Indian Valley, Idaho.

As a reminder, on the Boise National Forest, Snowbank Road and the Sage Hen Reservoir area remain closed. In Gem County, the following roads are closed: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points.

The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 has arrived to transition with the Southern Area Red Team. The Rocky Mountain Team will join command of the fire tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25th.  The Red Team wishes Rocky Mountain Team 2 a safe and successful assignment, and thanks the community for their support. 

Overview: The Lava Fire is on the Boise and Payette National Forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire is located north of Emmett and west of Lake Cascade. It started by lightning on Monday, September 2.  It is burning in tall grass, brush, and timber. 

The Lava Fire is currently 97,773 acres with 67 percent of the perimeter contained. The small decrease in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. 623 personnel are assigned, including 13 crews, 1 large helicopter, 1 small helicopter, 19 engines, 9 bulldozers, 12 water tenders, 7 excavators, 2 skidders, 5 masticators, 4 graders, and 7 ambulances.

Property remaining in an area that is evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures must remain until fire managers, Sheriff’s departments, and emergency management departments deem the area is safe for reentry.

On the east side of the Lava Fire, smoke is visible from Lake Cascade, but isolated hot spots are well within the containment lines.   

Operations: Yesterday, the Acre Road fire that started on September 22, south of the West Mountain Complex Incident Command Post, located south of Cascade, Idaho was contained at 1.3 acres. Three engines and a crew from the Lava Fire assisted, in collaboration with Idaho Department of Lands, Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association, and the Boise and Payette National forests. 

On the eastern flank, repair of handline and dozer line continued, including by the Willow Creek subdivision. Due to increased containment, some structure protection measures have been reduced, and firefighters backhauled equipment no longer needed. 

Spots of heat were found near Anderson Creek on the northern flank, and firefighters worked to extinguish them.  They secured and mopped up the area by Little Weiser Road, and the grader worked along that road.  All fire lines are tied in as planned.

On the western flank, mop up and suppression repair of interior dozer lines continued. Road graders and excavators returned roads and fire lines to the state they were before the fire occurred. 

On the southern flank of the fire, crews extinguished hot spots along Forest Service Road 653.   

Today, firefighters will continue to extinguish isolated pockets of heat, focusing on a depth of 150 feet from containment lines. Suppression repair work on hand fire lines and bulldozer lines will continue. 

On the eastern flank, personnel will work with resource advisors to identify areas for suppression repair. Mechanical repair and handline repair are continuing.  Crews will focus on mitigating heat near Olson Creek and Hurdy Creek along Forest Service Road 404. Chippers will reduce heavy fuels along Forest Service Road 421 and 421 spur road. 

On the northern flank, firefighters will be improving fire lines, and mopping up farther inside the fire line, to build greater depth in the lines. They will extinguish any heat sources found on last night’s infrared map, within 150 feet of the perimeter of the fire.  An unmanned aircraft system (drone) will assist with heat detection. 

On the western flank, crews will remove any equipment that is no longer needed, patrol to look for any heat near the perimeter of the fire, and continue to repair bulldozer lines. Roads will be returned to their condition prior to additional fire traffic. 

On the southern flank, firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up handlines east of Cow Camp. They will focus on identifying and extinguishing spots of heat and chipping along Forest Service Roads 653 and 609. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today is forecasted to be a dry and fair day, with sunny skies. Temperatures will be warm and above normal, with highs in the low to mid 70s.  Minimum relative humidity will be 32 to 37 percent.  Winds will be southwesterly, 3 to 6 mph.  Fire behavior is expected to increase with a warmer, drier trend over the next few days. 

Evacuations:  Per Adams County Sheriff’s Office, a Level 1 “READY” notice remains for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area. 

Valley County Sheriff’s Office has removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice. 

Closures and Restrictions: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. The southern portion of this closure area follows roads 601 (which remains closed) and 644 (which remains open). The northern boundary follows a portion of the Payette National Forest’s road 186 (open) and crosses over to the Boise National Forest just south of trail 116. Snowbank Road (446) and Sage Hen Reservoir area remain closed, French Creek Campground remains open. This closure adjustment became effective on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. 

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes the use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Frog Fire Statistics

• Size: 3,112 acres
• Containment: 42%
• Total Personnel: 120
• Location: east of Clayton, ID
• Reported: September 7, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idstf-frog 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest

Special Updates:  A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will begin assessing conditions on Thursday to determine areas and critical natural and cultural resources that will require additional repair work. Impacts the BAER team could address include soil erosion, water quality, and fragile slopes above infrastructure and recreation facilities.  

As a result of fire suppression efforts and vegetation removal, numerous trees have been cut into lengths suitable for firewood. Entering the fire closure to collect firewood is prohibited.  The public may collect any firewood available outside of the closure with a valid firewood permit.  Please direct questions on firewood collection to the Stanley Ranger Station at 208.774.3000.

Weather:  Tuesday marks a change in the weather pattern with winds primarily shifting out of the southwest bringing warmer temperatures with valley highs possible in the 80s. Conditions will remain warm and dry for the foreseeable future. Strong southwest winds are forecast starting Wednesday afternoon and through midday Thursday. Wind gusts up to 30 mph are possible, with southwest slopes and elevations above 8,000 feet seeing the highest gusts. Fire managers will be attentive to the shift in wind along with the warmer temperatures and dry vegetation; plans are in place to respond to any increase in fire behavior on either fire. 

Current Situation: 

The slopes near the Frog Fire are somewhat sheltered from the forecast southwest winds; however, if winds shift to the west, it could funnel fire activity down into the Big Boulder Creek area. Additional crews are working on the Frog Fire, focusing on the west and east sides of the fire, moving north where handline can be tied into natural rock screes to assist in confining the fire.

Helicopters are playing a large role on the Frog Fire, shuttling crews into the rugged terrain as well as delivering meals and other logistical support for crews as they are camped remotely in areas along the Frog Fire perimeter.

On Monday a remote weather station was installed near the east edge of the fire above Little Boulder Creek and will provide the Incident Meteorologist and fire management with detailed weather information which will assist with forecasting and planning future suppression actions.

Evacuations:  There are currently no evacuations related to the Frog Fire.

Closures:  The area closure in place around the Frog Fire has been amended and now excludes FS Roads 669 and 670 and Trail 682.  FS Road 667 remains closed as does Trail 047 adjacent to the closure boundary. Hunters and recreationalists should familiarize themselves with this closure information prior to entering the vicinity.  Please reference the map and read the full closure description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idstf-frog

FIRE ACTIVITY:

The Red Rock Fire is at 3,137 acres and 61% containment.

Yesterday, crews were busy with suppression repair and chipping operations on the main road system and the 60210 road. They focused on establishing a direct line from the 60210 road down to Noname Creek to address increased fire activity in the northwest area. Fire activity also increased near Read Rock Peak, where air resources did bucket drops throughout the day. Significant progress was made in the southwest area, building direct line to establish containment line along the fire’s southern flank.

Today, a major priority will be to establish a strong containment line on the western flank. This involves constructing a direct line south from the 60110 road to connect with a line that is being built north from Red Rock Peak. Suppression repair efforts will continue, working alongside resource advisors to restore areas close to pre-fire conditions.

The Black Eagle fire is at 6,487 acres and 8% containment.

Yesterday, the Black Eagle fire showed increased fire activity within the wilderness boundaries. Crews focused on securing the fire’s southern perimeter, employing various tactics, including direct line where needed.

Today, structure protection efforts will continue, with crews assessing current strategies and setting up new preparations as needed.  Personnel will also aim to stop the fire from advancing west of Black Eagle Creek, while monitoring spot fires east of the creek, and putting direct line around any new ones found.

WEATHER:

Today there will be sunny skies, with high temperatures in the mid-60s to near 70° and minimum relative humidity of 28-33%. Winds are expected to be out of the south to southeast at 5-8 mph with occasional afternoon gusts to 15 mph.

FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Fire behavior will remain consistent with what was observed yesterday due to the relatively similar weather forecasted. Most fire behavior will remain in the heavier fuels, with the possibility of group torching, which is when groups of fuels ignite simultaneously. Winds blowing from the south today could be adverse to established containment lines. With predicated RH values to remain above 25% and fuels burning in a backing alignment, crews will still have the opportunity to use direct attack tactics on the fires.  

FOREST CLOSURES:

For forest closure information please go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices

EVACUATIONS: 

Evacuation zone statuses have changed as of September 23rd for the Red Rock and Black Eagle fires. Please go to https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/site-home/news/red-rock-and-black-eagle-fire-update-09232024-1400hours to learn more about these important changes.

Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 09/24/24

Tue, 09/24/2024 - 10:21

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Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 09/24/24

This is the 09/24/24 PIO map for the Red Rock and Black Eagle fires

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,479 acres
• Completion: 72%
• Total Personnel: 284
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024
• Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Current Situation:  Crews have completed 84% of suppression repair on the 21.6 miles of hand line, 64% of suppression repair on the 25.2 miles of road used as fireline; and 52% of suppression repair on the 28.4 miles of dozer line, all of which was put in during suppression activities on the Wapiti Fire. 

Equipment is on scene and a plan is in place to repair impacts to the Grandjean Road from the recent landslides. Dirt and debris will be removed from the roadway and hauled away, a process that is expected to take several days. 

In addition to the steady progress made in suppression repair, crews are still actively engaged in suppression actions. Crews continue working hot spots in the Cape Horn area on the northwest side of the fire. The west side of the fire may see a slight uptick in fire activity today, particularly on southwest slopes. Anticipated activity is expected to largely remain interior of the fire perimeter as the southwest winds will push activity back into areas the Wapiti Fire previously moved through.

Travelers along Highway 21 should drive cautiously, with lights on, and be prepared for periodic closures or pilot car usage.  Along with firefighters, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) continues to work along the roadway.  The speed limit has been lowered to 45 mph between mile marker 92 and Banner Summit.

Evacuations:  Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. Stanley Zones 2 – 5 and Kasino are no longer in an evacuation status. Sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications:  text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF.

All Boise County evacuation levels have been lifted; residents should remain alert for any change in conditions which could reinitiate an evacuation status. Sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163.

For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/, and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/.

Closures:  The Wapiti Fire area closure covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon National Forests. Please reference the map and description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idbof-wapiti-fire.  Recreationalists and hunters should reference this map and obey all posted signage regarding the closure area and any related road, trail, and campground closures.

An interactive map for all closures on the Boise National Forest is found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/642380b0eb124c8cab6bd9ad3d7146ad/page/Overview/#data_s=id%3AdataSource_5-1888bd00a2c-layer-13-1888bd00b53-layer-16%3A82.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Program

Wildfires can cause complex problems from severe loss of vegetation and soil erosion to a decrease in water quality and possible run-off. Post-fire recovery is facilitated through a program called Burned Area Emergency Response, or BAER. 

The BAER Program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources. It is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storm.

Emergency stabilization is part of a holistic approach to address post-fire recovery, which also includes wildfire suppression activity damage repair, burned area rehabilitation, and long-term restoration. A designated BAER team will begin the process by assessing an area post-fire and whenever possible meet the following objectives. 

BAER Objectives :

• Determine threats to human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources on National Forest System lands. 
• Prescribe emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential stormwater runoff.
• Implement stabilization measures before the first large, damaging storm events occur.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. 

BAER TEAM

BAER teams perform emergency stabilization actions within one year of wildfire containment. These actions are intended to minimize threats to life and safety, or property resulting from the effects of a fire,stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to cultural and natural resources, or construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.  

Forest Service BAER teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to areas burned. The composition of a BAER team is determined both by the size of the fire and values potentially threatened by post-fire effects. 

Not every wildland fire will require the services of a BAER team. In fact, most of them do not. The determination not to utilize BAER is not a reflection of the importance of a specific wildland fire, it simply means that the anticipated post-fire impacts to human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources for that specific fire were not at an unacceptable level and the land can recover naturally.  

Generally, specialists in soils, hydrology, geology, engineering, geospatial mapping, wildlife, botany, and archeology assess the fire’s effects and predict the post-fire effects on National Forest System lands. Each resource specialist brings a unique perspective to the BAER process, to help the team rapidly determine whether the post-fire effects constitute urgent threats to human life and safety, property, or critical cultural and natural resources. The BAER process includes a number of steps, including:

• Evaluating the conditions of the burned area to determine the level of potential risks to human life and safety, property, critical cultural and natural resources.
• Determining if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential stormwater runoff.
• Conducting field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.
• Generating a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess burned area conditions. 
• Presenting findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, critical cultural and natural resources on National Forest System lands. 
• Coordinating with other local, county, state, federal and Tribal agencies that assist landowners in preparing for increased potential of stormwater runoff.

Prior to conducting field reviews, BAER teams are briefed by the local unit regarding the fire and known values at risk. Maps are used to identify structures and infrastructure within and downstream of the burned area. Each BAER team member consults appropriate references, such as databases, maps, and inventories, to identify additional values at risk. Field reviews focus on the fire’s effect, such as changes in vegetation cover and watershed response, and identifies potential values at risk.

Once the assessment is completed, BAER teams present their findings in a report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risk to human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes what the burned area look before and after the fire, response information, areas of concern, and recommendation short-term emergency stabilization measures.

BAER TREATMENTS

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is treated. Severely burned areas, steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas. There are a variety of emergency stabilization actions that BAER teams can recommend for National Forest System lands. Time is critical if the emergency stabilization measures are to be effective.

There are a variety of treatments and safety measures that BAER teams might recommend. Commonly used include reseeding of ground cover with native species, placing structures to slow soil and water movement, posting warning signs, removing safety hazards, installing protective fences or barriers to protect treated or recovering areas, and closing areas to public use.

BAER teams also assess the need to modify road and trail drainage by installing debris traps, modifying or removing culverts to allow drainage to flow freely, adding additional drainage dips, and constructing emergency spillways (e.g. water bars) to keep roads and bridges from washing out during floods. 

BAER treatments are preventative in nature but cannot prevent all damage, especially debris torrents in areas that are prone to sliding and have lost critical root structure from plants, Also, BAER is not an opportunity to fix historic problems, expand programs or personnel, or conduct new surveys or long-term restoration. 

Treatments do not prevent all potential stormwater runoff or soil erosion impacts. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for increased run-off. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for potentially dramatic increased run-off events by paying attention to the National Weather Service (NWS) flood warning alerts at https://www.weather.gov/rev/.

Rehabilitation Activities

What BAER Can Do:

• Install water or erosion control devices.
• Seed or mulch for erosion control or stability reasons.
• Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites.
• Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas.
• Install warning signs.
• Replace minor safety related facilities, like burned 
• guard rails.
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads,trails.
• Remove critical safety hazards.
• Prevent permanent loss of threaten and endangered special habitat.
• Monitor BAER treatments.
• Implement EDRR treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities.

What BAER Cannot Do:

• Prevent all potential stormwater runoff events.
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage.
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites.
• Replace burned pasture fences.
• Install interpretive signs.
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damagedby floods afterfire.
• Remove all hazardtrees.
• Replace burned habitat.
• Monitor fire effects.
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds.

BAER COORDINATIONS

Throughout the process, BAER teams work with multiple federal agencies, as well as local, county, state, and Tribal agencies, and emergency management departments to help protect human life and safety, and property. BAER Teams share information from their assessments and inform partners of risks that they may want to be aware of. The Forest Service cannot suggest treatments on county, state, or private lands. It is important that BAER efforts are communicated with all affected and interested cooperating agencies and organizations regarding National Forest System lands post-fire recovery and restoration efforts. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also provides assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/.

BAER FUNDING

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy. Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within seven days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is to the Forest Service Washington Office. 

Forest Service News Release

Contact: Amy Franklin (541) 620-3365

SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov

Malheur National Forest Reduces Rail Ridge Fire Area Closure

John Day, Ore. (September 23, 2024) — The Malheur National Forest is reducing the area closure for the Rail Ridge Fire on the Blue Mountain Ranger District. To protect public health and safety, fire managers have closed the area described below due to fire activity and fire suppression operations. This closure will be effective September 24, 2024, through December 31, 2024, unless rescinded sooner.

This Forest Order, Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge #2 Fire Closure (06-04-01-24-30), rescinds and replaces the previous Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge Fire Area Closure Order (06-04-01-24-26).

Closure Area Description:

• From the National Forest boundary on Fields Peak Road/Forest Service Road 21 on the border of T13 S, R28E, Sec 35 and T14S, R28E, Sec. 1 south along Forest Service Road 21 to junction of Forest Service Roads 2170 and 21.

• Continues along Forest Service Road 21 east to the junction of Forest Service Road 2180 at T15S, R29E, Sec. 20. South on Forest Service Road 2180 to Forest Service Road 24 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 10.

• Follows Forest Service Road 24 west to forest service road 338 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 7. South on Forest Service Road 338 to Forest Service Road 6370 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 30.

• Continues west on Forest Service Road 6370 to the Forest Service Boundary in T16S, R27E, Sec. 25.

• Follows National Forest boundary north to T13S, R27E, Sec. 33 then east to Fields Peak Road/Forest Service Road 21 on the border of T13 S, R28E, Sec. 35 and T14S, R28E, Sec. 1.

• Travel is prohibited on Forest Service Road 21 starting in T14S, R28E, Sec. 1 south to the junction of Forest Service Road 2170 in T15S, R29E, Sec. 18.

A detailed map of the closure is included and available on the Malheur National Forest website and offices.

For more information visit: https://bit.ly/MalheurRRClosure

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Lolo National Forest

Missoula Ranger District

Road Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads in the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Roads”):

1. 36 CFR § 261.54(a). Using any type of motorized vehicle.

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Contractors or subcontractors performing road stabilization work under a valid contract.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED ROADS

Plant Creek road, NFSR, 2132 from the Intersection with Road 19022 (Milepost 1.25) to a switchback in Sec. 7, T 11 N, R 18 W (Milepost 4.1).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety due to hazardous road conditions.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from 0001 on September 24th, 2024, through 2349 December 31st, 2025 unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.

§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

1. Contact the Missoula Ranger District in Missoula, MT, (406) 329-3814, and Lolo National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Missoula, MT, (406) 329-3750, for more information about this Order.
2. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road.
    

Signed and issued on

9/23/24 .

THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES IN THE EVACUATION ZONE STATUSES, THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ZONE 1 - WILL REMAIN IN “GO” STATUS

ZONE 2 - HAS BEEN RESCINDED

ZONE 3 - HAS BEEN RESCINDED

ZONE 4 - HAS BEEN RESCINDED

Zone 1: Yellowjacket drainage

Zone 2: Cobalt to Forney

Zone 3: Forney to road #252 to road #103 and back to Moyer

Zone 4: Silver Creek, Rams Creek, and Camas Creek from Hammer Creek to White Goat Creek.

Click Here for more details

Willamette National Forest News Release: Pyramid Fire closure reduction opens access to recreation sites and hunting areas

Contact: Breanne Schnell
(541) 285-8807
breanne.schnell@usda.gov

https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette/

Middle Santiam Wilderness reopens

Springfield, Ore. – Sept. 23, 2024. Due to successful firefighting efforts and favorable weather conditions, the Willamette National Forest has reduced the emergency closure order for the Pyramid Fire, re-opening a large area north of U.S. Highway 20 for hunting and other recreation.

The lightning-caused Pyramid Fire, located east of Sweet Home, was reported July 17 and is approximately 1,312 acres in size and 98% contained.

The Middle Santiam Wilderness is now open and can be accessed from the north; however, there is no trail access from the south to the Wilderness since the following trails and trailheads remain closed: Bridge to Nowhere Trail #3377 and Trailhead, Chimney Peak Trail #3382 (south of Gordan Peak Trail #3387) and Trailhead, Pyramids Bypass Loop Trail #3376 and Trailhead.

Other reopened recreation sites include McQuade Creek Trail #3397 and Trailhead, Parish Lake Trail #3383 and Trailhead, Riggs Lake Trail #3388 and Trailhead, Swamp Peak Trail #3401, Blowout Bridge Trailhead, Scar Mountain Trailhead, and South Pyramid Creek Trailhead.

Many roads providing access to areas popular with hunters are now open, including FSR-2041 (Soda Fork), FSR-2045 (Holman Creek), FSR-2047 (Sheep Creek), and FSR-2266.

Trails and recreation sites that remain closed include South Pyramid Creek Trail #3403 (west of FSR-2047) and South Horse Camp.

All roads and trails that serve as the closure area boundary are closed except for a small segment of FSR-2047, which is open and provides access to the Lava Lake area from the west.

For a map of the closure area and a complete list of recreation sites and roads included in the order, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices.

Please be aware of current restrictions before you head out into the forest. As fire restrictions change, information will be available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire.

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